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The 10 Most Reliable Cars Of 2018 (And 10 That'll Break Down)

The automobile market is saturated with vehicles. Every year, manufacturers add features to the interior, produce faster engines, and make the aesthetics more appealing to ensure that consumers don't purchase from the competition. The used car market is staggering and fraught with vehicles that are unreliable and overpriced. To ensure reliability and ownership of the latest trend, buyers don't mind paying high prices for new vehicles. Driving a new car allows the owner to enjoy a maintenance plan and peace of mind, knowing that nobody has previously driven the vehicle. A new vehicle also hasn't incurred any accidents nor contains scratches.

Some drivers take great pleasure in buying a new vehicle to experience the aroma of the fresh interior. However, although owners experience numerous perks by driving a new vehicle, everything has a downside. Since every manufacturer releases new models annually, how does a buyer know which brand to purchase? Speaking to the professionals, regardless of the sphere, is always the answer. Recognizing that consumers inspect every inch of a vehicle, we scoured the market for the best new models. To determine the 2018 models that are reliable and the ones likely to break down, we gleaned information from industry watchdogs. The watchdogs compiled a list of vehicles that are reliable, safe, and provide performance as well as vehicles that may give consumers grief.

20 Reliable: Chevrolet Cruze

via Myrtle Beach Chevrolet Cadillac

The Cruze stands out from its competition in the compact-car segment by providing a comfortable ride, a large cargo hold, and high-tech, luxury features. The new model received a new exterior called "Satin Steel Metallic" and an existing turbo-diesel engine in the sporty hatchback model.

The car provides excellent fuel economy and a comfortable and quiet ride as well as a feature-filled infotainment system.

Cruze has achieved high safety ratings. One of the drawbacks of the Cruze is the manual transmission. Consumers who want the top-of-range tech will find the Cruze appealing. At a base price of $18,000, drivers will get a lot for their buck.

19 Reliable: Buick Enclave

via Auto Super Car

The American manufacturer redesigned the 2018 model. The Enclave was a finalist in U.S. News's Best 3-row SUV for Families award. The car has a V6 engine that's capable of producing 310 horsepower and needs 6.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. With a top speed of 131 mph, the Enclave will give drivers a fuel consumption of 20 mpg, according to Car and Driver. The Enclave can accommodate 7 passengers in its spacious interior and rides comfortably even on rough roads. Families will be delighted with the user-friendly infotainment system and the spacious cargo compartment. The price for the Enclave starts at $41,000.

18 Reliable: Kia Soul

via Car and Driver

The Soul may not be the most extravagant vehicle on the list, but it provides reliability. The car has a spacious cabin that can seat five and an upscale interior design as well as abundant cargo space.

The South Korean manufacturer hasn't made any major changes to the latest hatchback, but the impressive styling keeps consumers intrigued.

An optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, LED interior lighting, and automated emergency braking is available. According to Car and Driver, Kia will offer a limited run of Soul Plus models equipped with the previous year's Plus Primo package. The base price is $17,000.

17 Reliable: Audi A4

via Automobile Magazine

Consumers who want to experience a luxury compact car that's sporty and satisfying to drive should have a peek at the Audi A4. The responsive steering and minimal body roll make this luxury sedan a prized possession. The Audi A4 has a powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine that won't hurt your wallet at the gas station, according to Consumer Reports. Although the front seats are firm but comfortable, the rear seat space is tight. Standard on the A4 are a forward-collision warning and city-speed automatic emergency braking. To become the owner of the A4, be prepared to part with $49,000.

16 Reliable: BMW X3

via Car Release 2019

The German manufacturer redesigned the 2018 model to bring it to the top of its class. The luxury SUV has smooth power, an instant-response gas pedal, savvy technology, an enjoyable ride, and utility. Consumers who don't want to settle for the base turbo-four cylinder engine can upgrade to the 355-horsepower M40i to experience a thrilling ride.

The X3 isn't all about the safety, as the car reaches 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds while providing a combined fuel consumption of 23 mpg. To own the X3, you'll have to fork out $44,000 for the base model.

15 Reliable: Toyota Tacoma

via 2020 Toyota

Drivers who purchase the Tacoma will get a great compact pickup truck that has high safety ratings and new driver-assistance features. The Tacoma provides a comfortable ride on roads but also has an excellent off-road capability. The safety features include automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The 3.5-liter V6 engine offers a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Every model has a touchscreen Entune infotainment system. The TRD off-road model offers only a double cab with rear-seat space for up for four passengers. The Tacoma's base price is $26,000.

14 Reliable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500

via YouTube

Looking for a good American pickup is as easy as popping into a Chevrolet dealership and test driving the Silverado 1500. Chevrolet installed a rearview camera in the latest model, and the mild hybrid eAssist package is available for LTZ and LT trims nationwide, according to U.S. News. The strong and redefined 6.2-liter V8 engine provides 420 horsepower and 12,500 pounds of towing capability. The Silverado has an excellent infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Although the Silverado plays second fiddle to the more advanced F-150, at a base price of $34,000, the car is a bargain.

13 Reliable: Ford Expedition

via Motoroso

If you're looking for a top-of-the-range SUV that's large and reliable, then look no further than the new Ford Expedition. U.S. News announced the Expedition as the winner of its Best Large SUV for Families award. Consumers who want the Expedition shouldn't be afraid to part with $54,000.

For their hard-earned money, consumers will get an SUV that can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and a twin-turbo V6 engine that can pump out 400 horsepower.

The spacious interior will provide comfortable seating for eight, and the 10-speed automatic will do the shifting.

12 Reliable: Toyota Camry

via Cleanmpg

When you buy a car from this Japanese manufacturer, you can take pleasure knowing that your vehicle will last for a long time. Besides the reliability, a Toyota will allow the drivers to experience a combined fuel consumption of 32 mpg. Toyota is known for manufacturing a sensible family sedan, which has helped Camry become America's best-selling passenger car. Toyota made the interior funkier than those in its predecessor models, improved the engine performance, and installed numerous safety features. The 2.5-liter engine can pump out 206 horsepower and has an 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode. The starting price is $25,000.

11 Reliable: Ford-F-150

via Ford F-150

America's best-selling vehicle is still impressive and stays ahead of the pack in the full-size pickup segment due to its weight-reduction design and turbocharged six-cylinder engine. According to Consumer Reports, the car delivers a combined fuel consumption of 19 mpg while providing fast acceleration and effortless towing ability that the 2.7-liter V6 engine makes possible. In the cabin, the F-150 has a Sync 3 infotainment system and a Pro Trailer Backup Assist, simplifying the tricky task of backing up while towing a trailer. To be the proud owner of the F-150, you'll need $54,000.

10 Unreliable: Land Rover Range Rover

via Land Rover Bellevue

When What Car? sent out a survey to 18,000 drivers, half of the ones who owned Range Rovers stated that they experienced problems with the vehicle. Drivers complained that the vehicle was unreliable. However, if you want a fast vehicle, then the Range Rover will provide you a 3-liter V6 engine that's capable of pumping out 340 horsepower. The Rover has an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Fanatics of the car can opt for a 380-horsepower version of the V6 that needs 7.3 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. The diesel version will allow drivers to experience 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Range Rover costs $89,000.

9 Unreliable: Tesla Model S

via Videoblocks

Elon Musk and his team have made significant improvements to the Model S's electric powertrain to ensure its reliability, but the team needs to do more work on the electrical systems.

Drivers of the vehicle reported that they experienced broken door handles and parking sensor failures.

Besides the inconvenience of not having a vehicle while in repairs, owners of the Model S incurred hefty repair costs. Consumers who can afford to spend $77,000 on a Model S will enjoy an engine that pumps out 518 horsepower and enables the car to go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.

8 Unreliable: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

via Mercedes Benz of Akron

When 18,000 car owners took a survey about their vehicles, a third of all the C-Class owners reported a problem with the vehicle. Some of the problems that owners of the vehicle encountered were with the electronics, the satellite navigation, and the bodywork. However, the German manufacturer is known for building a strong engine, so most of the owners of the C-Class didn't experience problems with the mechanical parts. The C-Class has one of the best cabins for the price range. Don't expect to get a great performance from the C-Class, as the vehicle isn't known for its speed.

7 Unreliable: Dodge Challenger

via Jim Burke Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram

If you want to drive a high-performance vehicle, then the Challenger is the answer, but don't expect reliability. The base model has a V6 engine that's capable of pumping out 375 horsepower. The Challenger provides a comfortable cabin and a cushy ride but lazy handling and rubberized interior materials.

Drivers of the vehicle experienced electric, engine, and steering problems, so it's no surprise that the car gets low marks for predicted reliability.

According to Car and Driver, the 2018 model has minor upgrades that include new standard equipment, exterior colors, and performance upgrades. Red Brembo brake calipers are optional on several V8 trims.

6 Unreliable: Cadillac ATS

via YouTube

Driving a Cadillac ATS will allow you to experience speed but not performance. The 2-liter turbo is capable of pumping out 272 horsepower with an 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. The watchdogs gave the ATS good marks for the road test but scored it poorly for projected reliability. Owners of the vehicle complained about engine, drivetrain, and light problems. The ATS provides impressive performance and has distinctive styling but falls short on dependability. Considering that the base model costs $37,000, Cadillac should've exerted more effort to ensure a reliable vehicle, especially since it competes with the BMW 3-series.

5 Unreliable: Jeep Renegade

via Car Magazine

The Renegade's impressive off-road capabilities and smooth and agile handling don't make up for its unreliability. The car has a short list of safety features when compared to its competitors.

Don't expect a comfortable ride and an exciting performance, as the Renegade is average in most departments.

The car trudges along the road, as the 1.4-liter engine is capable of producing only 160 horsepower. The advantage of driving the Renegade is that you'll get 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. However, apart from the noisy engine, the Renegade is prone to unreliability. The base price of the car is $18,000.

4 Unreliable: Jaguar XF

via The Daily Drive

Most Jaguars have an appealing exterior, but some models' reliability problems diminish their beauty. One of those models is the XF. Jaguar enthusiasts who are adamant about owning an XF should opt for an older model, as the new one will provide countless headaches. More than a third of the owners who participated in a reliability survey stated that the XF had problems with its interior trim and bodywork. Plus, it's prone to breakdowns. The other drawbacks of the vehicle are the underpowered diesel engine and the disappointing leather quality. With a base price of $49,000, the XF provides a sexy exterior but not much else.

3 Unreliable: Nissan Rogue

via Nissan of Auburn

Marketed as the "Qashqai" in countries outside of North America, the Rogue is an unreliable family SUV, according to Motoring Research.

The car has numerous standard safety features as well as good interior packaging but falls short on power.

Don't expect to get a thrilling ride in the Rogue, as the base model looks basic and doesn't provide much power. The best feature about the Rogue is the price. The base model goes for $25,000. Consumers will get 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The 2.5-liter engine produces 170 horsepower, according to Car Connection. Maybe a better Nissan option is the pickup.

2 Unreliable: Ford Fiesta

via YouTube

Fans of Fiesta's sporty version, the ST, are enthralled by the vehicle's rally-car-like performance, but the rest of the line received J.D. Power's lowest scores for most areas of dependability. You can expect good fuel economy from the Fiesta but not power. The car has a top speed of 118 mph, and the 1.6-liter engine pumps out 120 horsepower and needs 9.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 seconds, according to Car and Driver. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, although a six-speed automatic is available but sacrifices the driving fun. The rear seat is tight, and the standard equipment is scant. The base price of the Fiesta is $15,000.

1 Unreliable: Fiat 500L

via Autoneva.ru

The new 500L is bigger but not necessarily better. Fiat re-entered the U.S. market with a small car and produced a bigger version called the "500L."

The small Italian vehicle is incapable of providing a thrilling ride due to the 1.4-liter engine that can spurt out only 160 horsepower.

The car needs 8 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing position. The upside to the vehicle is its great fuel economy. Drivers can expect to get 25 mpg combined. With a base price of $22,000, the 500L needs to provide more reliability and features to warrant its price.